Grow Green Match Day surpasses $500,000 in 24-hours of giving

MANHATTAN — Officials with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation are celebrating after another whirlwind 24 hours of giving during Grow Green Match Day.

This year’s unofficial total raised was $517,424.76 from more than 2,600 donations. GMCF Vice President, Marketing and Programs Elaine Dhuyvetter says Match Day has come a long way since its humble beginnings, just seven years ago.

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Each of the 57 nonprofit agencies’ endowed funds are receiving a 50 percent match to be put toward their most crucial needs. Manhattan Area Technical College Foundation Resource Development Coordinator Tracy Geisler explains how foundation plans to utilize its monies.

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Elsewhere, Katie’s Way, LLC raised $10,580 during Match Day. Resource Development Coordinator Deanna Nitschke says Katie’s Way helps children and young adults from age 2 to age 26 with a variety of mental health concerns and says they see about 400 patients per week.

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Like Katie’s Way, the No Stone Unturned Foundation pulls from a 17-county area serving children with special needs and disabilities. Executive Director Dina Clark spoke with KMAN about how they assist families.

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The No Stone Unturned Foundation raised $19,615.

Among the other nonprofits receiving donations were the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. Treasurer Doug Haverkamp tells KMAN how the organization continues to serve teachers and students, fulfilling a need in the region.

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Meadowlark Hills Foundation Development Director Becky Fitzgerald says each year the foundation has been able to increase its savings. She also tells KMAN that the board uses the match funds each year for various projects.

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Individual contributions of $25 to $1,000 were matched at 50 cents per $1 donated, thanks to Phil Howe and the Howe Foundation. This was the seventh year for the Match Day. Official final totals will be announced by GMCF at a later date. More information can be found at the GMCF website here.